Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando (seated, second from left), joined by Pasay City Mayor Hon. Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano (seated, second from right); Philippine Judges Association (PJA) President Presiding Judge Byron G. San Pedro, Branch 15-FC, Regional Trial Court (RTC), City of Taguig (seated, leftmost); and PJA Executive Vice President Presiding Judge Pia Cristina B. Bersamin-Embuscado, Branch 198, RTC, Las Piñas City (seated, rightmost); with PJA officers (second row), during the PJA National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, along with other SC officials, graced the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) National Convention and Seminar, held in partnership with the Philippine Judicial Academy, on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City.
With the theme “PJA 2025: Advancing Judicial Excellence Through Evolving Court Processes,” the event brought together hundreds of Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges from across the country in a shared commitment to judicial excellence, integrity, and service. The convention served as a vital platform for dialogue, professional development, and reflection on the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and strengthening public trust in the legal system.
In his lecture on “Digital Transformation of the Philippine Judicial System: Towards Digital Justice In the Philippines”during the first day, Acting Chief Justice Leonen reminded the judges that the pursuit of judicial excellence in an evolving technological landscape requires more than just procedural updates. He emphasized that:
“[D]igital transformation is not simply about automating existing procedures. It is about rethinking the way justice is delivered in the light of the opportunities and risks posed by technology. It is about re-engineering our courts, modernizing processes, and reshaping institutional culture so that justice becomes more timely, more transparent, and fully accessible to all.
If the judiciary is to remain relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of our people in this digital age, we must adapt, we must innovate, and we must do. This is precisely what the Supreme Court envisioned when we adopted the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), launched in October 2022 under the leadership of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, and with the full support of the Court En Banc.”
He explained that the SPJI serves as the judiciary’s roadmap to transformation, anchored on four principles: Timely and Fair Justice, Transparent and Accountable Justice, Equal and Inclusive Justice, and Technologically Adaptive Management. Guided by these principles, the SC is advancing reforms through three core areas: Efficiency, Innovation, and Access.
Efficiency is being realized by streamlining court systems and improving the performance monitoring of justices, judges, and court personnel. Innovation is being achieved by developing a digital infrastructure that modernizes court processes, enhances information sharing across the justice system, and responsibly integrates artificial intelligence into legal research and court operations. Access is being expanded through judiciary-wide initiatives that promote inclusivity, transparency, and accountability—ensuring that justice reaches all, especially the marginalized.
In closing, he reminded the attendees that “meaningful reform never happens without its obstacles and without faith.” He urged judges to embrace change and rise to each occasion. Echoing Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, he underscored that these obstacles should not discourage, but instead strengthen the judiciary’s resolve to pursue reform and uphold its mandate of delivering timely, transparent, and accessible justice.
Most importantly, he affirmed that digital transformation will not come at the cost of people. As he said, “[N]o one will be left behind.” He emphasized that the SC’s commitment is clear: this transformation is not about replacement, but empowerment—ensuring that every member of the judiciary moves forward together with purpose, integrity, and faith.
Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen is greeted warmly by Philippine Judges Association (PJA) officers and members during the PJA National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Associate Justice Hernando began his keynote speech on a solemn note, conveying the heartfelt thoughts and prayers of Chief Justice Gesmundo and the entire SC to the judges and court personnel who were impacted by the recent earthquake that struck Cebu and surrounding areas, leaving communities shaken and many lives drastically affected.
Justice Hernando continued his speech by commending the earnest efforts of the PJA toward judicial excellence. He said, “[S]ince its organization, the PJA has committed to uniting all judges of the Regional Trial Courts in fostering cooperation and mutual understanding for the dispensation of justice and promotion of the rule of law.”
He also shared his insights on judicial excellence through the three C’s: Confidence, Compassion, and Courage. He explained that confidence in the judiciary is built when judges stay true to their duty and work efficiently and responsibly—values strengthened by the SC’s reforms under the SPJI, including innovations like eCourt PH. He stressed that compassion must guide these reforms, which aim to deliver justice that is timely, accessible, and fair. Lastly, he described courage as the resolve to act despite fear—whether facing political pressure, personal risk, or the discomfort of change—and encouraged judges to face these challenges with open minds and unwavering dedication to the rule of law.
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando delivers the keynote speech during the first day of the Philippine Judges Association National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
In his lecture on the Office of the Regional Court Manager (ORCM), Office of the Chief Justice Deputy Chief Justice Staff Head Atty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila emphasized its role as a pivotal reform under the SPJI. He underscored how the ORCM supports the judiciary’s core reform pillars of Efficiency, Innovation, and Access—bringing public service closer to where it is most needed.
Atty. Manila explained that the ORCM was established to decentralize administrative functions from the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) to the regional level—bringing decision-making and support services closer to the courts. By entrusting Regional Court Managers with responsibilities such as fiscal management, logistical coordination, and internal operations, this reform enables judges and court personnel to focus on their primary duty: delivering fair and timely justice.
Supreme Court (SC) Office of the Chief Justice Deputy Chief Justice Staff Head Atty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila delivers a lecture on the Office of the Regional Court Manager during the first day of the Philippine Judges Association National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
The event featured the presentation and turnover of the officers, marking an important moment of leadership transition of the PJA, and discussions on other official matters.
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez speaks with attendees during the first day of the Philippine Judges Association National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
During the event, Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta, along with Assistant Court Administrators Lilian C. Barribal-Co and Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio, held an Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) Hour dialogue with the RTC judges. This session provided an opportunity for open communication, where the judges were able to raise their questions, concerns, and suggestions directly with the OCA officials, who in turn addressed their inquiries and provided valuable insights.
Supreme Court (SC) Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta (center), with Assistant Court Administrators Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio (leftmost) and Lilian C. Barribal-Co (rightmost) hold an Office of the Court Administrator Hour dialogue with attendees during the first day of the Philippine Judges Association National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
The event also included lectures on the Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure, delivered by Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno; 2025 Proposed Amendments to the 2019 Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, delivered by Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jose Lorenzo R. Dela Rosa and Atty. George S.D. Aquino, members of the Sub-Committee and Technical Working Group for the Revision of the Rules of Civil Procedure to Study and Revise the Book of Forms; and the Revised Code of Judicial Conduct, delivered by Presiding Judge Maria Josefina G. San Juan-Torres, Branch 79, RTC, Morong, Rizal.
Also in attendance were Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting, and Pasay City Mayor Hon. Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano.
As one of the judiciary’s most enduring organizations, the PJA continues to play a vital role in uniting trial court judges under a common vision of excellence, integrity, and independence. Through its various programs and initiatives, the PJA not only strengthens collegiality and solidarity within the bench but also actively contributes to shaping policies that impact the justice system. In this latest convention, the association once again affirmed its unwavering dedication to cultivating a judiciary marked by integrity, empathy, and courage—committed to delivering justice with honor and accountability. (Press release courtesy of the SC Office of the Spokesperson)
Supreme Court (SC) Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta (center) with Philippine Judges Association (PJA) officers (from left) Presidential Assistant Presiding Judge Maria Zoraida Zabat-Tuazon, Branch 90, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Quezon City; Senior Vice President Presiding Judge Maria Paz R. Reyes-Yson, Branch 54, RTC, Manila; Executive Vice President Presiding Judge Pia Cristina B. Bersamin-Embuscado, Branch 198, RTC, Las Piñas City; and Regional Director Presiding Judge Maria Gilda T. Loja-Pangilinan, Branch 230, RTC, Quezon City, during the PJA National Convention and Seminar, held on October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)